Inferno decimates former building supply business in Mount Carmel

MOUNT CARMEL – A former lumber company is in ruins after a massive inferno rocked a block in this Northumberland County community Sunday night.

Crews were called around 8:30pm to the former Columbia Building Supply building on South Spruce Street in Mount Carmel for a reported structure fire.

Mount Carmel firefighters arrived to find flames already well-advanced in the former lumber warehouse that once dominated the block.

Multiple alarms were struck, drawing firefighters from surrounding communities, including Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Ashland, Girardville, and Frackville to assist.

At one point, flames towered above the building, reaching at least 20 feet into the sky.

The front facade of the building also sustained a partial collapse.

Two homes and a garage are in close proximity to the warehouse and firefighters focused on protecting those structures.

A tanker task force was also called, drawing crews from Sheppton, Ringtown, Gowen City, Elysburg, Lavelle, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, and more to assist in aiding water supply efforts.

Route 61 from Centralia to Mount Carmel was closed as a result of the fire.

No injuries were immediately reported and firefighters remain on scene as of midnight.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home. She is a 12-time Keystone Media Award winner, a PAB Excellence in Broadcasting award winner, and has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy award.

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